Festivals: September-December

• Bloomfield Little Italy Days

  September
  Pittsburgh
  Bloomfield Little Italy Days website

  Filled with Italian grocery shops, restaurants and stores, Bloomfield is Pittsburgh’s Little Italy on any day of the year. For one weekend in September, though, the streets are overtaken by all things Italian – even walking Italian musicians! Come eat all you want and walk off the calories as you stroll through the historic district and fantastic festival.

• The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

  September-October
  West Newton
  The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival website

  Medieval amusement park featuring affordable family fun. Combat jousting, stages of continuous entertainment. Over 80 master artisans featuring juried fine arts and crafts. Free children’s realm, plus games, rides and more.

• Big Knob Grange Fair

  September 1-4, 2010
  New Sewickley Township, Beaver County
  Big Knob Grange Fair website

  Celebrating its 67th year. Exhibits include agricultural, livestock, commercial, tractor and truck pulls and demolition derby.

• The Great Stoneboro Fair

  September 1-6, 2010
  Mercer County
  The Great Stoneboro Fair website

  Livestock and agricultural displays, contests, harness racing, demolition derby, country stars, gospel music, bands, fireworks, truck and tractor pulls and midway rides.

• West Alexander Fair

  September 6-11, 2010
  Washington County
  West Alexander Fair website

  Livestock, crafts, flowers, fruits, market animals, carnival rides, food.

• Pittsburgh Irish Festival

  September 10-12. 2010 – 20th ANNIVERSARY!
  Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh Irish Festival website

  Traditional and contemporary Irish entertainment, taking place at Riverplex. Feast on Irish cuisine, delight in musical performances and even participate in traditional Gaelic sports.

• Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show

  September 11, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show website

  A military air show featuring aerial demonstrations and static displays as well as many children’s activities. Takes place at the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.

• Evans City Oktoberfest

  September 17-19, 2010
  Butler County
  Evans City Oktoberfest website

  The festival consists of crafts, food and entertainment daily. Other activities include Little Miss and Mr. Oktoberfest and a parade.

• Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival

  September 18, 2010
  Pittsburgh, Southside Riverfront Park
  Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival website

  Experience the color and excitement of Asian arts, culture and dance. Enjoy wonderful cuisine, colorfully costumed performances, children's activities, and take a spin in an authentic Dragon Boat.

• Butler Fall Festival

  September 18, 2010
  Downtown Butler, Butler County
  Butler Fall Festival website

  Features ethnic food galore all along Main Street. This family-oriented festival features everything from tacos and gyros to baklava and smoked turkey legs, as well as regional crafters, entertainment and children’s activities.

• Covered Bridge Festival

  September 18-19, 2010
  Washington + Greene Counties
  Covered Bridge Festival website

  Arts + crafts, homestyle food, historical exhibits and more. Each bridge with its own homespun charm. Ten great sites.

• Penn’s Colony Festival

  September 18-10, 2010; September 25-26, 2010
  Historic Saxonburg, Butler County
  Penn’s Colony Festival website

  Celebrate French and Indian heritage for two weekends. This annual festival leaps into the past with entertainment, craftsmen and shopping in a colonial village setting.

• Freedom Fall Festival

  September 25-26, 2010
  Kittanning, Armstrong County
  Freedom Fall Festival website

  Craft and food vendors, live entertainment and lots of Fall FUN!

• McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival

  September 25-26, 2010
  New Castle, Lawrence County
  McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival website

  Vendors dressed in period costumes, crafts, artisans demonstrating their skills, entertainment, Civil War re-enactments and tours of the mill.

• Pittsburgh International Lesbian + Gay Film Festival

  October
  Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh International Lesbian + Gay Film Festival

  A 10-day celebration of LGBT culture and film. This annual event showcases unique and relevant films.

• Smicksburg Fall Festival

  October 1-3, 2010
  Indiana County
  Smicksburg Fall Festival

  Enjoy Amish simplicity during the change of seasons.

• Head of the Ohio

  October 2, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  Head of the Ohio website

  Rowers take to the 2.6 mile course on the Allegheny River. This day-long festival on Pittsburgh's North Shore celebrates the beauty, majesty and energy of Pittsburgh's rivers.

• VIA Festival/Music-art-technology

  October 2-4, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  VIA Festival website

  Don't miss Pittsburgh's first large-scale music/new media festival taking over the city for 3 days!  Features the latest talent in rock, house, hip-hop and more alongside visual artists working at the forefront of video, game design and live music.

• Hickory Apple Festival

  October 2-3, 2010
  Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County
  Hickory Apple Festival website

  Home-cooked foods, apple products of all kinds, crafts, children’s activities and entertainment.

• Annual Heritage Days Festival

  October 2-3, 2010
  Village of Homewood, Beaver County
  Annual Heritage Days Festival website

  Living history area with Civil War Encampment, period entertainment, food, crafts, car show, wagon rides and more.

• Fall Harvest Festival at Apple Castle

  October 9, 2010
  New Wilmington, Lawrence County
  Fall Harvest Festival at Apple Castle website

  Bag your own apples, hayrides, entertainment, cider, pumpkins, crafters, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

• Zelienople and Harmony Country Fall Festival

  October 9-10, 2010
  Butler County
  Zelienopl and Harmony Country Fall Festival website

  Historic encampments, demonstrations, antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, sidewalk sales, live music, games and more are all a part of the fall fun.

• Houston Pumpkin Festival

  October 9-10, 2010
  Washington County
  Houston Pumpkin Festival website

  Crafts, baked goods, entertainment, children’s area, large parade.

• Annual Greene County Historical Society Harvest Festival

  October 16-17, 2010
  Waynesburg, Greene County
  Annual Greene County Historical Society Harvest Festival website

  Celebrate the harvest season with a host of activities. Area crafters and artisans conduct demonstration and have items available for purchase. Witness Civil War re-enactors and living history demonstrations.

• Three Rivers Film Festival

  November 5-18, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  Three Rivers Film Festival

  The Three Rivers Film Festival is the largest film festival in western Pennsylvania and takes place in downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland and Regent Square. This exciting two-week celebration features over 40 films and brings the best in independent and international cinema to Pittsburgh.

• Light Up Night

  November 19, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  Light Up Night website

  Every downtown building lights up to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The city’s skyline comes to life with a number of holiday activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.

• Annual Festival of Trees

  November 25-28, 2010; December 3-5, 2010
  Lodge at Bradys Run Park, Beaver County
  Annual Festival of Trees website

  A winter wonderland of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths available for purchase.

• Festival of Lights

  November 25-28, 2010; December 2-5, 2010; December 9, 2010-January 1, 2011
  Blue Spruce Park, Indiana County
  Festival of Lights website

  Light displays, visits with Santa and gift shop.

• First Night Pittsburgh

  December 31, 2010
  Pittsburgh
  First Night Pittsburgh

  New Year's Eve festival celebrates the arts and cultural vitality of Pittsburgh.